Hillsdale County Senior Center celebrates 30 years

Monday

Feb 25, 2013 at 8:56 AMFeb 25, 2013 at 8:57 AM

By Nancy Hastings

nancy.hastings@hillsdale.netA gathering will celebrate the 30th anniversary of a service meeting the needs of its growing senior population.The Perennial Park facility at 320 W. Bacon in Hillsdale celebrated a decade of service at the site recently. On March 1, a larger celebration will note the senior center’s 30th anniversary in Hillsdale. The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday with mingling, a slide show and entertainment. A short presentation is tentatively set for 7:30 p.m.The annual celebration, normally held in January, was postponed until March to encompass a wider range of attendees, Communications Director Kelly LoPresto said.The Hillsdale County Senior Services Center is a non-profit organization serving Hillsdale County’s older population for three decades. In 1990, Hillsdale County had 7,281 residents over the age of 60 and by the year 2000, the number had risen to 8,323. The 2010 census shows 10,017 in Hillsdale County who are 60 and over.Terry Vear, chief executive officer of the center, said the need for increased programming for seniors was evident.In the early 1980s Hillsdale County had a Department on Aging that provided city transportation, outreach, chimney sweeping, prescription assistance and emergency help. Several changes in structure took place and different programs moved to different places in the structure.Prior to moving to its new facility on West Bacon Street Nov. 4, 2002, the Center was located in Luther Hall on Griswold Street for 15 years.Vear said the mission of the center has always been to offer reliable, compassionate help and encouragement to older persons, while promoting good health, independence, and community involvement.“As a non-profit organization, we have grown over the last 30 years from an agency with one paid staff person and a few programs, to a staff of 60 and 30 different programs,” Vear said. “Much of the success is due in no small part to numerous individuals who believe in what we do and have either donated their time or contributed to our organization and for this we are most grateful.”The annual budget has grown from $25,000 to this year’s fiscal budget of $2.2 million.Vear said the availability of the community center has seen huge growth with more active seniors and the permanent home at Perennial Park has allowed staff to serve a wider variety of programs to Hillsdale County’s older population.Some of the growth included Life Long Learning classes, support groups, fitness center and a place that can be used as an American Red Cross emergency disaster site in times of need.“When we opened with the name Perennial Park, perennial means ever continuing and park means land set aside for public use,” Vear said. “It’s the perfect place to plant programs.”

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